Panthers fall just short

A Fitzroy Gracemere player jumps to avoid Biloela Panthers’ Jason Horne as he crosses the tryline to score.

MEGAN LEWIS

A SECOND-HALF comeback by Biloela Panthers was not enough to get them over the line against Fitzroys Gracemere in the first round of the CQ Challenge Cup at Browne Park yesterday.

Fitzroys took a 16-10 lead into the half-time break and extended their lead after the break.

The Panthers came home strong, but finished just two points shy at 24-26.

Greens’ coach Dane Jones said it was encouraging to see his team hold on at the end.

“All in all I was pretty happy,” he said.

“In the first half we were structurally correct, but in the second half we wandered away in our sets.”

Jones said he was still expecting a few players to come back, but he had a message for his players in their training.

“Round one is over. It’s go-time now.”

Biloela coach Alby Boynton was encouraged by the use of the team’s new playing system.

“It’s a little bit disappointing not to get the two points but we’re playing a new structure and we saw that work a little bit towards the end,” Boynton said.

“We had a lot of opportunities but we panicked and pushed it past. I’m still pretty happy. We just ran out of time.”

At Victoria Park, Rockhampton Brothers started on a winning note against CQU Norths Chargers.

In a replay of last year’s Rockhampton Rugby League final, Brothers finished 34-10 ahead.

Brothers spread the scoring around, with six players crossing the line. Andrew Dale and Drew Ferry added tries for the CQU Norths side.

On Saturday at Tannum Sands, Yeppoon ran home a convincing winner against Challenge Cup returnees Valleys.

The Seagulls were 40-28 winners against a depleted Gladstone side.

In the other match of the round, Tannum Sands Seagulls defeated last year’s winners Gladstone Brothers 24-22 at Dennis Park.

In the other grades, Fitzroys Gracemere defeated Biloela 28-16 after leading 20-4 at halftime.

And the clubs had a 26-all draw in the U20s competition, after Fitzroys led 10-8 at halftime.

CQU Norths had a 30-28 win at Victoria Park against Rockhampton Brothers in the U20s, and also had a win in the reserve grade, beating Brothers 26-24.

Challenge Cup

Saturday

Tannum Sands 24 def Gladstone Brothers 22

Yeppoon 40 def Valleys 28

Sunday

Fitzroys Gracemere 26 def Biloela 24

Rockhampton Brothers 34 def CQU Norths 10